What is a primary goal of conducting a UST site assessment?

Conducting a UST site assessment primarily aims to assess the potential environmental impact and the extent of contamination associated with underground storage tanks. This goal is crucial because USTs can leak hazardous substances, leading to soil and groundwater contamination. Understanding the extent of any contamination is essential for remediation efforts, protecting public health, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

While documenting the inventory of fuels, ensuring operational regulation compliance, and evaluating the cost of UST installation are important aspects of UST management, they do not capture the primary purpose of a site assessment. The assessment specifically focuses on identifying and evaluating the environmental risks posed by the UST, which is fundamental in guiding future actions to mitigate any identified risks and protect the environment and human health.